Im going to need a manifold in the upcoming months. I have a 71 455 engine going to the builder this week. this is going into a 67 gs400. Are there clearance problems with the SP1 ? If not whats the better choice for a street/strip toy. not a daily driver Going to use the SW air cleaner. thanks
Have used one(b4b ) on my 67 gs, did not use an air cleaner as it is a racecar, had carb sealed to hood for scoop. Jim n.
According alot of dyno's Im pretty sure the B4B has better low rpm response and the SP1 is better in the upper RPM range -- some of the experts will chime in Im sure.
The SP1 is a better intake. The B4B will make more torque down low, but the SP1 will start to shine at about 4500-5000 RPM and up. Low end torque is not a problem with the BBB. I could not even feel the difference driving around on the street. It still had no traction from a dead stop and from low speeds. This was my former motor with the TA aluminum heads, and the Performer intake. It ran mid 12's at about 107-108 MPH. After switching to the SP1 and an AED 1000 carburetor, my best was a 12.11 @ nearly 112 MPH at Cecil County Dragway. I felt the engine ran a bit smoother with the SP1. I experienced no downsides to the SP1 at all. It is a full 1 1/2" taller than the Performer/B4B. You must use a drop base air cleaner to close the hood on my 70. The 67 may be more difficult as far as hood clearance. I'm sure others will chime in.
Another vote for the SP1 as long as the rest of the combo is up to it. That being said, if it's a stout combo, the '67 "Star Wars" air cleaner will choke it to death. Other than looks, there's not much else good to say about that one. A drop-base, large diameter open element setup would be much better. Devon
Don't want to choke it out. SW air cleaner would have been for looks only. BBB engines do have a lot of torque so the SP1 would be the right direction. I have the 800cfm quadrajet that should be able to tune to the engine build. With the 1.5" higher profile, I would like input from anyone that has this application in a 67 already. this is why I ask the real deal Buick guys. I would have just bought the B4b and never known. Clearance issues is all that's left.
If you do opt for the SP1, make sure you get the Q-jet version, not the Holley. With the Q-jet opening, all you need to run a Holley is a very thin adapter plate. If you want to run a Q-jet on the Holley version, the adapter is 3/4" tall further aggravating hood clearance. Both versions are drilled and tapped for both bolt patterns, but the Q-jet version is much more versatile IMHO. I'm sure you can run the SP1, you just need the right drop base air cleaner.
X2, yes, the Spectre Ram air air cleaner caused my Q-jet to leak gasoline right out the top of the accelerator pump. Not sure if it was due to the vent being too close to the top of the air cleaner, or the mild boost from the ram air did something to the venting. The solution was to extend the vent up through the top of the air cleaner. BTW Steve, I haven't done so yet. With the weather we are having, it won't be until the Spring before I can try it.:grin:
SP1 will not fit under your 67 gs hood.4b4 will fit with a 3in air cleaner.My 67 gs has a eb proformer and clears hood about 3/4 in.If you want the sp1 you can mill the carb flange down,thats what another guy did with 67 gs.
The SP1 with Thermoquad was worth .1/1 mph on my high 11 second 455 powered Century with a nice converter over a B4B with a 1" spacer so unless you're looking for every bit of performance I wouldn't sweat it. On my '65 I cut out the "diamond" framework in the middle of the hood and the SP1 clears although the hood is a little flexible now. My '67 with 455 back in the day would not work with a B4B and 1" spacer and SW air cleaner. I have the gashes shaped like a "V" toward the rear of my Star Wars AC housing to prove it. You probably could run a 1/2" spacer on a B4B and clear but I'd check. You could also consider cutting the B4B's center divider somewhat and not run a spacer. If it was me I'd install the B4B and SW AC and see what clearance you have. Then run the maximum spacer you can fit with decent clearance to account for engine rocking.
When I was bracket racing way back when, I switched from a B4B to TA's SP-1. With no other changes the car went a consistent 2 /12 to 3 tenths quicker in the quarter but my 60" times were a hair slower. Not long ago on my 53 I went from the SP-1 back to a B4B. The B4B has a little better part throttle feel to it. I don't know about the fuel mileage because I went from a 200-4R to a 400ST and Gear Vendor I still get 15 MPG highway. Bob H.
SP1 probably is a better intake for 1/4m racing application but HRM did an extensive article on different combos and is worth the read IMO, they seem to think the B4B/Performer is a better street intake BUT that could be all about sponsorships too so who knows...here's the article if you're interested in reading it. http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/ccrp-0906-buick-455-engine-bolt-ons/
Joe I had a 400, now going to a 455 but won't make any external difference. I run a B4B with the Qjet and the biggest drop base that K&N offers and the small wing nut on top cuts into the underhood insulation. That is with no spacer under the carb. If I put my SW cleaner on it - the hood will hit the top of it. I only use the SW for shows when I get there. If the SP1 is taller you will have problems. Let me know if you have other '67 questions. Not to high jack the thread but could someone explain about notching the B4B center divider? I have seen them both ways. Thanks
Its a way to trick the intake into having more plenum volume than it really does more so aiding in topend breathing, ongoing debate as to whether how much it works is ongoing and depnds on the rest of the combo
Greg Gessler notched my Edelbrock Performer from the get go. Here is a picture of what it looks like.
Jeez Larry, do something about those butt connectors!! Does the wizard need a soldering gun? Maybe some heat shrink at the very least.. p: :Brow:
